Morning show co-host, style expert, model, and most recently, fashion designer Meredith Shaw knows a thing or two about being authentically yourself. Get the scoop on how she tackles dressing for the holidays.
 

Shimmery lights, cheerful music, fun gatherings abound—‘tis officially the season to break out your most glitzy and glamorous pieces. For Meredith Shaw, this is one of the best parts of the holidays.

“This time of year allows you to be full-on yourself but also indulge in the possibility of trying on something else,” says Shaw, who co-hosts the Toronto-based morning show Breakfast Television. And while she’s a self-proclaimed lover of all things glittery, she’s adamant that you don’t have to be covered in them to shine.

Canadian Living sat down with Shaw to talk about balancing comfort and glam, her new collection with Penn., and, of course, sequins. 

Canadian Living (CL): From family gatherings to office parties to Friendsmas, there’s no shortage of events to dress up for around the holidays. What are your go-to tips for glamming up?

Meredith Shaw (MS): The holidays are a funny time; you want to be sure that you are comfortable so that you can show up and enjoy these events, but it’s also the perfect time of year to step outside of your comfort zone.

Personally, because there are so many connotations of how you show up for the holidays, it’s important to have options. You’ll want something that you feel work-appropriate in — I see this more in playing with textures and silhouettes. Then, have something that you feel comfortable entertaining in at home or at a house party. You want to look elevated and glitzy, but you also want to be chill and sit crossed-legged on a sofa. Finally, I love having a 'Boom-Pow' outfit with something that I don’t always have the opportunity to wear.

CL: The trends we’re seeing this holiday season are sequins, velvet, bows—some of these textures and designs can be out of people’s comfort zone, but they still want to get into the festive spirit. Do you have any advice for dressing as your most confident self?

MS: A lot of women feel outside of themselves in those trends; they feel like all eyes might be on them. It’s about finding the things in the styles and fabrics you already love. Sequins are a fabulous texture to play with, but if that’s too much, satin could be beautiful as well. Looking for shine is a wonderful place to start—you can combine sparkles with canvas or denim or leather for a more toned-down look.

CL: What are some of your favourite pieces to style around the holidays?

MS: I love a fabulous coat, especially in these Canadian winter months. Investing in a beautiful coat that you love and can wear season-to-season amortizes itself over many years. It sets off your own feeling about getting into your Uber and feeling great—it’s all part of the experience.

I also always look for a great blazer. It elevates so many outfits and makes a dress that you already have in your wardrobe a little more work-appropriate or balanced.

CL: You recently launched a collection with Penn. for the holidays. What did you keep in mind while designing these pieces? 

MS: As a plus-sized woman who has worked in so many areas of the fashion business—as a model, stylist, designer, on BT—I know some of the lack that exists in this space, and I wanted to show up big-time for things that I felt were missing. But I also wanted to throw that away completely and not try to treat this as a problem to solve. I’ve had so many conversations over the years with women about how they feel about themselves, so I came up with a collection that answered a lot of those conversations. 

It’s all about that idea of choice, how style is access to the possibility of who you are—that’s what I am, and I’m obsessed with having that happen to other women. I hope this collection equals possibility for them.

CL: Do you have any favourites from the collection?

MS: The velvet suit, for sure. You can wear it in so many combinations: dress down the pants, or you can try them in different lengths.

I love the design of the off-the-shoulder sweater. It’s soft and structured, with ruching up the side, so it sits on the body very naturally. 

Then the wrap dress. It’s a true wrap, so it doesn’t have any stretch, which allows you to get that great waist cinch. You can wear it with tights or bare legs and all the way into spring. 

CL: If you could buy one piece of new clothing for the holidays, what would it be?

MS: The velvet suit! It’s so versatile, and I know for a fact that it’s not on the market anywhere else. That’s why I designed it. And, because we designed it with the perfect amount of stretch, it’s incredibly comfortable. 

Interview edited for length and clarity. 

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